Diamonds are a Girl’s Best Friend

October 03, 2012

My maiden name is a German surname meaning treasure, value, or terms of endearment like darling and sweetheart. I hadn’t given it much thought until now. I began this blog in January, with a post titled, 2012: My Year of Dreams. I’ve pounded the keys of my laptop as a cathartic way to search out who I really am. During my pursuit, I’ve realized that the answers have been here all along, just waiting to be unearthed.

A knowledgeable friend of mine in the jewelry business recently explained to me that the cut of a diamond is the single most important factor in the saleability of the stone. The cut can dramatically increase or decrease the stone’s value. He showed me the difference between an ideal cut diamond versus one cut too deep or too shallow. Since cutters pay is based on how much weight they retain, diamonds are sometimes cut too deep to conserve the most weight. They can also be cut too shallow because it makes the stone appear larger, but it causes the diamond to leak light and look watered down. A perfect cut diamond has precise light reflecting angles creating an optimum balance. The more cuts or facets a diamond has, the more brilliance it exudes. A high grade colorless and clear diamond can be ruined with a poor cut. Likewise, a slightly colored and included diamond becomes breath-taking with a superior cut.

The similarities are really quite astounding when you equate humans to diamonds. We are formed by a Creator, our hearts often raw and rough from life’s pressures and heavy burdens. A Miner leaves the sanctuary of his world and descends into the pit to dig us out, pull us from the depths, wash us clean, and begin cutting to bring to light the beauty within. Regardless of the number of our inclusions or our clarity, he knows our ideal cut. The more facets he cuts, the more we lose of ourselves, but the better we reflect the light. The more he cuts on me, the more beauty I can see sparkling and shining in his light. It seems that those living among us, become precious gems and priceless treasures when you see them through his clarity, without the inclusions that once blinded you. Witnessing the transformation of others exposes a sense of urgency to reach those that are still lying buried under this world’s rubble.

A wonderful married couple at my church recently spoke a word to me. ”You are a treasure box, containing valuable pieces. You have value in the church, value to others, great value in this world, and in His kingdom. The lock has sprung open and the treasure is pouring out through His hands.” This was an encouragement that I needed to hear. If you’re like me, you easily tear yourself down, get drained out, and then start dragging and drudging around. Remember that you’re letting someone or something else cut on you. Trying to hold onto something you should have given up a long time ago is just like cutting a diamond too deep to retain weight. Putting on a facade to look bigger and better results in the light leaking like a shallow cut diamond. Our perception becomes weary, monotonous, and “watered down”.

The definition of value according to Webster’s is: The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance or preciousness of something. I am learning that my value does not come from the amount of money I make, what I do for a living, the college I did or didn’t go to, or even the choices I’ve made. My value comes from the One who made me, who saved me, and treasured me enough to redeem me. The more I understand and believe that I am valuable and treasured, the more I grasp and comprehend the true value of life. Pierre Teilhard De Chardin, who held many titles in his day, such as philosopher, Jesuit priest, paleontologist, and geologist, reminds us with these words, “Do not forget that the value and interest of life is not so much to do conspicuous things…as to do ordinary things with the perception of their enormous value.”

A little about the model:

Our beautiful model, Nicolle, teaches High School Spanish and 3rd grade History. She is a mother of 2 with one on the way. She has just relocated to the Midwest with her husband and family from Oaxaca, Mexico.

Dreams of Perfect Design. She likes to share little snipits and snapshots of her everyday adventures, in hopes that maybe, just maybe, it will impact someone else's life.